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Education Sector Report Makes Clear That America’s Teachers See Key Role for Unions

Press Release

Education Sector Report Makes Clear That America’s Teachers See Key Role for Unions

For Release:

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Contact:

Marcus Mrowka

202-879-4447; 202-531-0689 (cell)

mmrowka@aft.org

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten's statement on Education Sector's report "Trending Toward Reform: Teachers Speak on Unions and the Future of the Profession."

"This report makes clear that America's teachers—both union and nonunion—recognize the importance of unions in strengthening the teaching profession and our public schools.

"Many of the findings are consistent with what AFT members have been saying for years—that what teachers want most and get least are the tools, time and trust to be better teachers and help their students learn and grow. Teachers also believe in accountability as long as the measures are fair, they have a voice in the process, and they receive the support they need to succeed.

"But a disturbing trend that we continue to see in surveys is teachers' sense of loss of control over teaching conditions. This is especially troubling as budget cuts have forced teachers to do more with fewer resources, as teachers are required to implement reforms without the support and tools they need to succeed, and as special interests continue to demonize teachers and dictate what happens in the classroom. America's teachers spend every day with our children and know what students need to succeed. Teachers need and deserve a voice in decisions that impact their students and their classrooms.

"The report also makes clear that both new and veteran teachers believe unions can play a key role in education reform and ensuring teacher quality—a responsibility the AFT takes seriously. AFT affiliates are working in collaboration with school districts across the country on reforms that will help our children learn and grow. And they are implementing evaluation systems that are fair and transparent, while also focusing on ensuring quality and continuous professional development. For example, in the ABC Unified School District in California, the district and union consulted on every aspect of teaching and learning to implement changes in curriculum, developed an innovative program to mentor new teachers, and used intervention strategies to help struggling students."

The AFT represents 1.6 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

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The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do.